Early life info - no informants

I was diagnosed seven months ago and I felt very concerned about not having a person who knew me well as a child.

I began recording information as I remembered it over the weeks before assessment: Difficulties at school, relationship issues, mental counting and arithmetic, preferences of daily activities and hobbies, plus the times spent on two particular interests that preoccupied me for much of childhood. I didn’t record everything I remembered, just memories of my likes, dislikes and difficulties in childhood. I didn’t bring the notes to the appointments. 

AnnieBo said:

Should i just send the lot of point out bits (although i don't know what is relevant!)

I didn’t have to send anything to the autism clinic so I can’t comment on that. My GP had already made a referral which included details of my difficulties with social communication and interaction in multiple contexts, and my repetitive behaviours. 

The clinical psychologist who interviewed me at the first two appointments asked very straightforward and targeted questions which I could easily answer with a factual response, eg, place of birth, type of birth (forceps, mother was anaesthetised), names of schools attended, parents occupation, where I grew up and other such questions requiring facts.  Further questions required a yes, no or I don’t know answer, followed by an example or examples, eg, questions about hobbies, relationships, repetitive behaviours, school work, sleep, food preferences, sensory issues.

Even though I couldn’t remember or didn’t know the answer to some questions about my early life, the psychologist indicated that I had already shown him enough to indicate an autism diagnosis was likely and this was on the basis of my communication difficulties and repetitive behaviours, although my preoccupation with specific long term interests and other things had been noted. I was relieved and realised I had worried needlessly about not remembering potential key things.

The speech and language therapist who completed the next parts of the assessment was concerned mainly with my adult life so I didn’t need to prepare anything. 

In hindsight, as is the case for many of us autists, I realise I had got stressed needlessly over potential information gaps.

The assessors should understand that you won’t remember everything from your early life and their questions and observations are designed to draw out the key information required. Good luck with the assessment. 

I was diagnosed seven months ago and I felt very concerned about not having a person who knew me well as a child.

I began recording information as I remembered it over the weeks before assessment: Difficulties at school, relationship issues, mental counting and arithmetic, preferences of daily activities and hobbies, plus the times spent on two particular interests that preoccupied me for much of childhood. I didn’t record everything I remembered, just memories of my likes, dislikes and difficulties in childhood. I didn’t bring the notes to the appointments. 

AnnieBo said:

Should i just send the lot of point out bits (although i don't know what is relevant!)

I didn’t have to send anything to the autism clinic so I can’t comment on that. My GP had already made a referral which included details of my difficulties with social communication and interaction in multiple contexts, and my repetitive behaviours. 

The clinical psychologist who interviewed me at the first two appointments asked very straightforward and targeted questions which I could easily answer with a factual response, eg, place of birth, type of birth (forceps, mother was anaesthetised), names of schools attended, parents occupation, where I grew up and other such questions requiring facts.  Further questions required a yes, no or I don’t know answer, followed by an example or examples, eg, questions about hobbies, relationships, repetitive behaviours, school work, sleep, food preferences, sensory issues.

Even though I couldn’t remember or didn’t know the answer to some questions about my early life, the psychologist indicated that I had already shown him enough to indicate an autism diagnosis was likely and this was on the basis of my communication difficulties and repetitive behaviours, although my preoccupation with specific long term interests and other things had been noted. I was relieved and realised I had worried needlessly about not remembering potential key things.

The speech and language therapist who completed the next parts of the assessment was concerned mainly with my adult life so I didn’t need to prepare anything. 

In hindsight, as is the case for many of us autists, I realise I had got stressed needlessly over potential information gaps.

The assessors should understand that you won’t remember everything from your early life and their questions and observations are designed to draw out the key information required. Good luck with the assessment.